SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of human rights and democracy 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119661  Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of human rights and democracy 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Democracy, Human Rights, Peace and Elections 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Reregistered  2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for all people, and in particular those practitioners for whom human rights issues underpin their activities.

Learners credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Describing the history and struggle for human rights in South Africa.
  • Explaining how the Constitution and Bill of Rights promotes and supports human rights and democracy within South Africa.
  • Describing and explaining human rights and democratic principles and values in South Africa.
  • Outlining the influence of historical events and violations internationally and regionally on the development of universal human rights. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF level 1 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The "Bill of Rights" forms the basis for current and emerging practice of human rights and democracy in South Africa, and is therefore used in this unit standard to define expectations. The "Bill of Rights" refers to the South African Bill of Rights as enshrined within the South African Constitution. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the history and struggle for human rights in South Africa. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    History: pastoral era (pre-1652) colonial era (1652 - 1948), apartheid era (1948 - 1990), transition to democracy (1990 - 1994) and democratic era (from 1994). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Examples are provided to illustrate key conditions prevailing in the pastoral era. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    One example of good human right practice and one of violations or abuses.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A key event during the colonial era is identified and described in terms of violations of human rights and democratic principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Repressive legislation under Apartheid are identified and described in terms of violations of human rights and democracy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Any two pieces of legislation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Key events under Apartheid are identified and described in terms of violations of human rights and democracy. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    At least one example linked to each of the relevant legislation above.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Significant forms and acts of resistance are identified and explained in terms of their contribution towards the development of a human rights culture in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Negotiation processes during the transition leading up to the democratic elections are described in terms of the contribution towards the development of a human rights culture in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    A current human rights issue is identified and described to illustrate the ongoing nature of the struggle for human rights. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain how the Constitution and Bill of Rights promotes and supports human rights and democracy within South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key features of the Constitution that support human rights and democracy are identified and described in terms of their purpose, powers, structures and functions, as applicable. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examples are provided to show how the Constitution informs legislation, and how legislation is intended to reflect the provisions of the Constitution. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Two examples.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Structures involved in the promotion of human rights and democracy are identified and described in terms of their functions and powers. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Structures include within the government and the private sector, including civil society.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe and explain human rights and democratic principles and values in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descriptions of the principles and values of human rights are consistent with the Bill of Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explanations of the principles and values of human rights are consistent with the Bill of Rights and are contextualised within own experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Descriptions of the principles and values underpinning democratic governance are consistent with those derived from and enshrined within the Constitution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Explanations of the principles and values underpinning democratic governance are consistent with those derived from and enshrined within the Constitution, and are contextualised within own experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principles and values of human rights and democracy are explained in terms of their link and development with the history of human rights abuses and resistance to abuses in South Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Two principles and two values for each of human rights and democratic governance are described.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Outline the influence of historical events and violations internationally and regionally on the development of universal human rights. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The outline to involve at least two examples from history and two from recent times to illustrate the development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Examples are provided and explained so as to highlight how various conditions influenced the development of human rights. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Conditions include racism, sexism, oppression, xenophobia, inequalities and related intolerances.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examples reflect inclusivity and diversity of human rights traditions and origins. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Descriptions are provided of key events influencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Descriptions are provided of key events influencing the African Charter of Human Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Principles and values of the UDHR and African Charter are identified and related to historical events. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The outline identifies the need for protection against human rights violations internationally, regionally and nationally. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • This Unit Standard will be assessed by an assessor and moderated by a moderator, registered with the relevant accredited ETQA responsible for the quality assurance of this Unit Standard.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the appropriate quality assuring ETQA, or Learning Programme approval with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the quality assuring ETQA.
  • Verification (external moderation) of assessment and moderation by the provider, will be conducted by the relevant quality assuring ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant Qualification and the agreed ETQA policy and procedures.
  • An individual wishing to be assessed through RPL against this Unit Standard, may apply to an assessment agency or provider institution accredited by the relevant quality assuring ETQA, or by an ETQA that has a formal agreement/accreditation with the relevant quality assuring ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Foundations of human rights and democracy. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills: communication will be used when demonstrating knowledge of various aspects of human rights. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of inter-related parts of a system: this will be demonstrated in when showing the impact of past events and conditions on the development of human rights, and the effect of human rights abuses. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Glossary and Abbreviations:
  • CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
  • CERD: International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
  • CRC: Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • ICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
  • ICESCR: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
  • Bill of Rights: A list of rights and freedoms for people in a country/countries. It can be part of the law of the country.
  • Charter: A document outlining the principles, functions, and organization of a corporate body: a constitution: the city charter.
  • Common Law: A body of law that is based on custom and general principles and embodied in case law and that serves as a precedent or is applied to situations not covered by statute.
  • Constitution: A constitution contains the rules and principles according to which a country is governed.
  • Convention: An agreement between nations for regulation of maters affecting all of them.
  • Covenant: A binding agreement; a compact. A formal sealed agreement or contract. An international covenant on Human Rights.
  • Declaration: An explicit, formal announcement, either oral or written.
  • Developmental rights: "A decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, health care, education and decent work and protection against calamities are not just development goals - they are also human rights". (Human Development Report 2000).

    OR

    The right of people/a group of people to have their culture recognised or to advance themselves politically or economically.
  • Law: A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority. The body of rules and principles governing the affairs of a community and enforced by a political authority; a legal system: international law.
  • Legislation: The act or process of legislating; lawmaking. A proposal or enacted law or group of laws.
  • Legislature: An officially elected or otherwise selected body of people vested with the responsibility and power to make laws for a political unit, such as a state or nation.
  • Mechanism: A system of parts that operate or interact like those of a machine. A process by which something is done or comes into being.
  • Organ: A government agency or instrument devoted to the performance of some specific function; "the SAPS is an organ of the government of the South Africa".
  • Paralegal: A person with specialized training who assists lawyers.
  • Petition: A formal document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
  • Preamble: A preliminary statement, especially the introduction to a formal document that serves to explain its purpose. The introductory part of a constitution or statute that usually states the reasons for and intent of the law.
  • Principle: A basic truth, law or assumption: the principles of democracy. A rule or standard.
  • United Nations: An international organization composed of most of the countries of the world. It was founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and economic development.
  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Is intended to be an international standard for the protection of Human Rights. Not directly or indirectly enforceable, and creates no legal obligations for the signatories. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67509   Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2021-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  50418   National Certificate: Immigration Law Enforcement  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2009-06-29  Was PSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  50583   National Certificate: Public Service Communication  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Reregistered  2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Elective  58761   Further Education and Training Certificate: Early Childhood Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  50332   Further Education and Training Certificate: Occupationally-Directed Education Training and Development Practices  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. A4 Consultancy CC 
    2. Elective Training Institute Enterprise CC 
    3. Enjo Consultants 
    4. IQ Skills Academy (PTY) LTD. 
    5. Maccauvlei Learning Academy 
    6. Maqhawe College 
    7. Masemase Consultancy CC. 
    8. Motheo Training Institute Trust 
    9. Nhlahle Development Agency 
    10. Teachers Learning Centre (Pty) Ltd 
    11. Vicmat Consultants 
    12. Zuzulwazi Development 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.